Severn Hall of Ocean Pines gives blood with the help of phlebotomist Alice Mitchell at the Blood Bank of Delmarva in Salisbury Thursday. January is National Blood Donor Month.

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Wyzhir Johnson always had an interest in giving blood but couldn't, because he was not old enough and was under the required 110-pound minimum weight requirement.

Although he did not fit the qualifications to give blood, Johnson was a recipient following a horrific accident in which he lost his hand more than a year ago. Johnson, a student at Mardela High School, lost more than three-quarters of his blood and required 15 pints and three transfusions to stabilize him.

"I think it was every six to 12 hours they would come in with a pint of blood," he said. "I was a bit confused because when the ...